10 things to do in Malaga in January

The first month of the year might be low season and include Blue Monday, but January still makes a good month to visit Malaga. Read on to discover our pick of activities, experiences and events that, when brought together, will give you plenty of inspiration for things to do in Malaga in January.

Catch the Three Kings

One of the loveliest events in Malaga throughout the year, the Three Kings Parade in the afternoon/early evening of 5 January is a must-see. Thousands of children and their parents crowd the streets to watch the cavalcade go by as a rain of sweets falls.

Taste a winter warmer

A great foodie destination at any time of year, Malaga has some delicious winter warmers that you might want to taste in January. The creamy gazpachuelo is one of them. Not to be confused with the very chilly and bright red tomato gazpacho, this traditional dish comes piping hot and contains fish, seafood and potatoes. Try it at any traditional restaurant in town during January.

Take a bike ride

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to take more exercise, there are plenty of things to do in Malaga in January that will help you keep it. We recommend a bike ride along the western or eastern seafronts. Why? You can soak up the warm sunshine, take in some stunning sea views and then treat yourself to a lunch of fish along the way. Make that fish grilled to keep those calories in check. Or cycle really fast back at the end!

Enjoy some theatre

January in Malaga celebrates the annual Theatre Festival, a month of plays and performances at the Cervantes and Echegaray Theatres. Most of them are in Spanish, but a few appeal to any language. See our round-up of what’s on in January for some inspiration.

Take a warm dip

Unless you love cold water you won’t be swimming in the sea in Malaga in January. It’s far too chilly. But the good news is that you can still take a warm dip at the Hammam Spa Malaga. Even better news is that it has two pools with temperatures ranging from a very pleasant warm to very hot. Plus there’s a steam room and some hot marble slabs to lie on. Bliss!

Shop till you drop

A spot of retail therapy could be on your list of things to do in Malaga in January. Many stores start their after-Christmas sales bonanza on 7 January with plenty of bargains. For a guide to where to go shopping in Malaga, click below.

Walk the city

Mostly flat and very compact, Malaga makes a great city for walking. And here’s another excuse to keep that New Year’s resolution.

Our website has several ideas for walking tours and for January, we recommend the street art tour. Don’t forget to look up as well as down as you stroll round Soho.

Watch a winter sunset

January has the clearest skies of the year and possibly the purest light. This makes for amazing sunsets, perhaps the best. View yours from the Gibralfaro Viewing Platform or Muelle Uno. The sunrises are pretty spectacular too – head for the western seafront for the best vistas of the day breaking over the Mediterranean.

Go skiing

You might be surprised to find heading for slopes on our list of things to do in Malaga in January. But the 50k+ of ski runs in Sierra Nevada are really just 2 hours’ drive away. You’ll find slopes for all abilities, including gentle beginner ramps and pro runs – skiing down from La Veleta peak to Pradollano resort is a real highlight and you can even see the coast from the top.

Driving to Sierra Nevada from Malaga is easy to do in a day trip because it’s dual carriageway for most of the way. Hire a car in Malaga and allow around 2 hours in each direction. Parking is available at Pradollano resort.

Top tip
Check the weather first because it’s a long way to drive to find the ski resort closed because of high winds or bad visibility.

Enjoy the winter sunshine

January does have the occasional rain, but also a lot of sunshine. Expect between 15 and 20 degrees, perfect for soaking up the warm rays as you enjoy a coffee, lunch or afternoon tea.

You’ll be in shirtsleeves while the locals will be in their coats, scarves and gloves (otherwise, when would they wear them?!).

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Malaga in January FAQs

Now you know what to do and see this month, here’s the lowdown on what to expect in the first month of the year.

What’s the weather like in Malaga in January?

Mostly sunny, with a few days of rain. Expect chilly mornings and evenings – temperatures can drop to below 10º at night, making it cool first and last thing.

Average temperature 🌞	Average days of rain 🌦	Average sea temperature 👙
17 degrees	6	15 degrees

🌨 Look out for snow on the mountains around Malaga. The Maroma peak in the east is often snowcapped in January as are the mountains in Sierra de las Nieves to the west. You can see the snowy Maroma from the western seafront and Sierra de las Nieves from the bridge into the Guadalhorce Nature Park.

Is it warm enough to sunbathe?

In the sunshine (and we mean full sun), it’s warm enough to sunbathe. If you’re in a sheltered spot, you might even wear your swimsuit. Some hotels have heated rooftop pools and loungers out of the wind, a combo that could have you sunbathing in Malaga in January!

The water would have to heated though because the Mediterranean is at its chilliest this month. Don’t expect to see many people in the sea!

What sort of clothes should I pack?

We’d recommend layers, so that you can add first and last thing, and take off at midday when the sun heats things up. If you’re planning to go hiking, cycling or skiing, pack warmer clothes, but you won’t need the thick stuff in Malaga.

What time does it get dark in Malaga in January?

Malaga rarely has less than 12 hours of daylight, even in January. Sunset is at 6.11pm on 1 January and at 6.41pm on 31 January. Expect it to get dark around 20-30 minutes later.

If it’s low season, will hotel prices be cheaper?

Yes, January is the cheapest time to find accommodation in Malaga, with most hotels offering great deals especially for mid-week stays.

Is it worth coming to Malaga in January?

If you live in northern Europe and the thought of a cold, dark January is unbearable, then Malaga makes a great option. There’s plenty going on – see our January round-up for details – and plenty of sunny days. See you soon!